F1: 2011 - (caution - may contain result spoilers just after a race...)

[thaddeus6th]

I agree. Hamilton did not do anything to warrant a penalty, that I saw. Ferrari International Assistance flies to the rescue

[Foxbat]

Swings and roundabouts methinks. I remember Alonso last year (Valencia I think) getting all upset and throwing his toys out of the monocoque when Hamilton got a drive through for passing the safety car. Hamilton didn't lose a position and merely smirked in the post race interview whilst Alonso seethed quietly in the Ferrari garage.

This time the roles are reversed.

Carma I think (pun intended)

[thaddeus6th]

Eet eez VERY unfair!

According to the BBC gossip page, it's unlikely Red Bull will have KERS in China. Maybe that'll hand the advantage to McLaren.

[Foxbat]

Eet eez VERY unfair!

I've nothing against young Seb but I hope he doesn't just run away with a load of victories. McLaren challenging him will be healthy. I hope to see a resurgent Webber soon too.

Looks to me like a two tier battle in this early part of the season.: Red Bull/McLaren and then Ferrari/Renault.

[thaddeus6th]

I quite like Vettel, but, like you, I want a real contest. It'd be a shame if, after the excellent title fight of 2010, we had a run away victor.

China may be a strong pointer. If he can win there, without KERS, it may be a case of saying Aufwiedersehen to the hopes of anyone else being champion.

[Foxbat]

A very good Chinese GP.
I know a lot of folk who watch the start of a race, go and do something else and then watch the end. Those days, it seems, may be in the past. Do that in this race and you would miss an awful lot of goings on.

Congratulations to Hamilton for his victory and congrats to Webber for a stunning recovery drive from 18th. Vettel did what he could and came away with a decent haul of points. Ferrari really need to improve both car and strategy. Disappointed for Rosberg who, without critical fuel levels may have finished further up the order. Another solid result from Di Resta...no points this time but he still got in front of his teammate.

I wonder if Hamilton's decision to do one run in Q3 (and save a set of tyres) will cause a major change in the way the teams approach final qualy?

Tyre strategy seems to be the key with a crescendo of action in the latter part of the race - the time when a fresh set of softs may fundamenatally change the order (just look at Webber's surge or...indeed...Lewis Hamilton's victory).

Roll on Turkey.

[thaddeus6th]

I suspect 1 run in Q3 will become the standard, at least for circuits that have a substantial difference in time/durability between the compounds.

Schumacher did well to get from 14th to 8th as well, but I agree Webber was driver of the day.

[Foxbat]

Turkey was a pretty decent race. Vettel Dominant once more but really chuffed to see Fernando back on the podium. Second would have been nice but third probably more realistic right now.

[thaddeus6th]

The most entertaining bit was when the Renault drivers were gesturing at each other

They must've been taking lessons in team harmony from the Coalition.

[Foxbat]

Yeah. Thought that was all going to end in tears.

[Foxbat]

All change for Barcelona?
Possibly.

It appears that the FIA is about to outlaw certain aspects of Blown Diffusers - namely - restricting gas flow through the engine when the driver is not using the throttle. What this means is less aerodynamic grip caused by the blown diffuser and could mean a shake-up of grid positions (Red Bull suspected of having the most effective aero-grip from its blown diffuser).

Frankly, I think it seems a bit sad if the only way others can beat Red Bull is through rule changing. A major question needs to be asked here - Why not implement this at season start? We all knew the Blown Diffuser was a factor so why now? Most teams have spent a lot of time and money on these and now will have to find other ways to compensate for the loss of grip (more time and money when teams are being asked to cut costs).

I may be oversimplifying things here but just want to watch fair racing.

[thaddeus6th]

Hmm. First I've heard of this, but if that's accurate it displeases me.

I don't like one-horse races, but I like gerrymandering even less. If Vettel and Red Bull are better than everyone else they deserve to win, not have sudden rule changes rob them of a fair chance.

[Foxbat]

Perhaps the FIA read my post http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91481

[Fake Vencar]

Shouldn't there just be a set of rules, written before the start of the season, and then followed throughout with no changes? Constant changes somehow hamper the FIA's goal of lowering costs when teams have to abide to everchanging rules when a flaw is found.

[thaddeus6th]

With the exception of changes for safety, I agree. The FIA's constant inter-season rule changing is also a bit stupid.